The Medicine Bow National Forest surrounding Rock River offers diverse camping options between 7,500-10,000 feet elevation. Summer temperatures range from 40-80°F with significant temperature drops after sunset. Most campgrounds in this region open from June through September, with high-elevation sites having shorter seasons due to snow conditions.
What to do
Fishing at alpine lakes: Several campgrounds provide access to fishing opportunities. At Brooklyn Lake Campground, campers can enjoy fishing right from the shore. "We brought our kayaks and stand up paddle boards, and really enjoyed doing this in the lake. We literally just walked a few steps and put our boards and kayaks in the water!" reported one visitor.
Wildlife viewing: The Snowy Range area hosts abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. At Deep Creek Campground, wildlife sightings are common. A camper noted: "Beautiful hike in the summer or snowshoeing in the winter. Not matter the time of year is the best time to go," demonstrating the year-round appeal.
Hiking on nearby trails: Many campgrounds offer immediate trail access. At Sugarloaf Campground, a camper shared: "From any site, there are terrific views of the Snowy Range, and numerous trails in the area offer great hiking to lots of pretty little lakes."
What campers like
Secluded sites: The dispersed camping options provide privacy not found at established campgrounds. At Forest Service Road 330C, a camper explained: "We found a great spot right next to the river on forest road 330C near North Fork Campground. The area was fairly busy on Labor Day weekend but we were basically isolated in this spot."
Star-gazing opportunities: The remote location creates excellent night sky viewing. One Brooklyn Lake visitor mentioned: "We really enjoyed hanging our hammocks and sitting by the fire at night. We also really enjoyed some great hikes that were nearby."
Mountain views: The Medicine Bow mountains create dramatic backdrops for campsites. A visitor to North Fork Campground noted: "Pretty open sites; but the sites along the creek are nice and views of the mountains. Mosquitoes not as bad here as in Libby Creek area."
What you should know
Weather considerations: High elevation camping means unpredictable weather patterns. A Sugarloaf Campground visitor warned: "The wind was consistently 25mph+ the whole weekend, but the hiking and alpine lakes just off the campground were great."
Site availability challenges: Most popular campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. "We arrived on Wednesday morning to find all sites occupied. So we drove around for a little while before heading to Brooklyn Lake," noted one Sugarloaf camper.
Water availability varies: Water sources may be unreliable depending on season and campground. At Bow River Campground, one reviewer cautioned: "We quickly discovered that no water could be collected from the handpump. Thankfully, we brought some water with us."
Insect protection needed: Mosquitoes can be prolific during summer months. "It was like a horror movie with them covering the windows of our RV and then sneaking down the Refrigerator ventilation shaft," described one Bow River camper.
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites with lake access: Children enjoy water activities at several campgrounds. At Brooklyn Lake, a visitor shared: "This campsite was pretty awesome, and the views and scenery were beautiful. One of my favorite parts about this campground is that every site does have a view of the lake."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many families enjoy wildlife encounters from safe distances. A Deep Creek visitor reported: "We had six moose, one with a very tiny baby come through our site at night and in the morning and the site next to us to feed in the big meadow."
Short hiking options: Some locations offer family-friendly trails. "There are so many wildflowers and little cascades that even a short stroll with children is rewarding," noted a Sugarloaf camper.
Tips for RVers
Road conditions: Access roads to many sites require careful navigation. A visitor to White Rock Canyon Dispersed Site cautioned: "We have a 36 ft fifthwheel. The road has washboard and is quite steep in places. The biggest issue was finding a place to turn around."
Limited level sites: Finding suitable parking for larger vehicles presents challenges. "No sites are level so bring your legos," advised one White Rock Canyon camper, referring to leveling blocks.
Cell service considerations: Connectivity varies significantly between locations. A visitor reported about White Rock: "T-mobile was dismal, but Verizon was usable with a solid 4G 2bars."
